Republican Georgia Senator David Perdue found recently that he came in contact with a staffer who tests positive for COVID-19. Following this discovery, his campaign announced that he would quarantine just a day ahead of a crucial runoff.
The 71-year-old U.S. Senator found about his potential exposure on Thursday, his campaign officials said. The quarantine will see Perdue stepping back from a crucial campaign trail just days ahead of Georgia’s runoff vote.
Perdue's campaign released a statement noting that both Perdue and his wife tested negative but will quarantine following the recommendations of his doctor and in accordance with CDC guidelines. Noting that more details will be divulged when available, his campaign said Senator and his wife had been tested on a regular basis throughout the campaign, Fox News reported.
He is campaigning against Jon Ossoff, a Democrat. Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler is also in a runoff for her US Senate seat in Georgia Rev. Raphael Warnock, a Democrat. Election Day for the aforesaid races is Jan. 5.
To retain the Senate in 2021, Democrats need to win both seats, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris breaking a 50-50 tie. President Donald Trump and President-elect Joe Biden are slated to campaign in Georgia soon. The statement did not reveal how long he will quarantine.
Perdue's quarantine came ahead of a joint campaign event for him and Loeffler in Gainesville, with GOP Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina gracing the event. The news broke about 30 minutes before Perdue was set to speak.
A considerable number of attendees at the outdoor event did not wear masks at the event that featured "There Was This Girl" singer Riley Green. The runoff is being watched closely by both parties as high-profile surrogates continue stumping ads since the general election in Nov.
On Thursday, the Warnock campaign announced that former first lady Michelle Obama recorded a robocall for the Democratic candidate, which comes several weeks after former President Barack Obama in three digital campaign ads. After Biden won the once red state, becoming the first Democratic presidential nominee to carry Georgia since Bill Clinton in 1992, Perdue and Loeffler have been pitted against Democratic challengers, Forbes reported.
Both Perdue and Loeffler are trailing in polls even before the election kicks off. The Democratic challengers Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff will need to win so that Democrats can take control away from Republicans. If both win, the chamber will be put at a 50-50 tie between Democrats and Republicans, with Hariss delivering a tie-breaking vote for the Democrats if required.